Awning



Apr l8, 9 2 o. 5. mg 2,591,758

AWNING 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed $9912.22, 1950 INVENTOR. v 0.5042 5. ZACK @wd n {Fa/ al AI'I'ORIVZ'KS A ril 1952 o, s. ZACK 2,591,759

AWNING 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 22, 1959 ae r V 7/20 INVENTOR.

06643 S. ZACK April 8, 1952 Filed Sept. 22,- 1950 o. s. zAcK 2,591,758

AWNING 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 mmvrox 0.90m .52 ZAC'K BY v 4 i v 6101425: {PM

ATTORNEY-5 .April 8, 1952 2,591,758

r o. 5. 2mm

- AWNING '4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Sept. 22. 1950 INVENTOR. 06042 5. ZACK I 6M1: 6 pm ATTO/WMFVS' Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AWNING Oscar S. Zack, Detroit, Mich. 7 Application SeptemberZZ, 1950, Serial No. 186,191

. 25 Claims.

ported by relatively rigid extensible and retractible elements which are capable of moving the louver members from a collapsed inoperative position to an extending operative position andprovided angular movement of the members in any extended position thereof. Another important object of the invention is to provide an awning structure of this type employing improved ,gneans for extending and retracting the louver members and further employing means for tilting or changing the angular relationship of the louver members while so extended in order to increase the ventilation through the 1 opening over which the awning extends. A further important object of the invention is to provide an improved awning structure including corrugated louver members so constructed and arranged that in extended position the adjoining edges are brought into. complementary interengagement andin fully retracted position the members are collapsed into nested relationone alongside of I the other.

Other important objects of the invention relate to'the provision of improved extensible and retractible supports for the awning louvers and the tilting control thereof. Animportant feature of the invention relates to the mounting of the louver members on one or more lazy tong trusses for extensible and retractible movement therewithyet providing independent swinging movement of the louver members relative thereto. Another important feature of the invention relates to the provision of extensible and retractible means preferably in the form of another lazy tong truss which 'is hinged to the louver members and is capable in any extended position thereof to swing the louver members in unison to any desired inclination. A further important feature of the invention relates to a specific construction of the supporting lazy tong trusses and particularly to the novel formation of -the'crossing links thereof whereby the links may extend through intermediate portions of the louver members and either rigidly support themembers in the planes of one series of cross links or provided tilting movement of the members relative thereto.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features will become more fully apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofv an awning constructed in accordance with this invention and illustrating an inclined, extended position of the awning on a window frame shown in dotted outline, i

Fig. 2 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1 but showing the awning in collapsed inoperative'po- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional v w taken along line 'I--l of Fig. 3 and showing the hinge connection of one of the louvers to the tilting control mechanism,

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional 8-8 of Fig.7,

Fig.9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken view taken along line along line 9-9 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but illustrating a modified form of connection between the tilting control mechanism and the louver assembly, Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the awning in fully collapsed, inoperative position and th'e'position of the parts, of the protecting canopy therefor,

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a portion of a modifiedlazy tong truss forthe awning structure showing the links in partially extended position v Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the links of the lazy tong trussin fully collapsed condition, v

Fig. 14 is a top view of alouver showing the manner of connecting the modifiedlazytongtrus's thereto, taken in direction of arrows I4 1! "in Fi .12, f

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 15-45 of Fig. 14, and I Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the outer end support for the awning.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figs. 1 and zrespectively indicate an extended position and the fully collapsed position of an awning embodying the invention and associated in mounted relation with a window'opening of'a points.

3 building. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the same awning but show a diiferent position assumed thereby. In general, the awning comprises a plurality of louver members [0, otherwise referred to as vanes, leaves or slats, which are preferably similarly shaped. Supporting the louvers Iii are one or more extensible and retractible structures in the form of lazy tong trusses. For the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, two such trusses are employed. These are generally indicated at I 2I2 and are mounted in spaced apart parallel relationship and.

alongside of the opposite ends of the louvers If! as shown in Fig. 4. The awning is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in mounted relation on a window frame including an upper cross member I l. and conventional sliding sashes I6 and I8 guided in vertical side frame members 20. Although shown associated with. a conventional window frame, the awning is capable of use on other types of Window openings, store fronts and the like.

The two lazy tong trusses l2 |2 are similarly constructed and each is composed'of two series of parallel members, the members of one series crossing the members of the other series and being pivotally connected together at their crossing The members or links of one series are indicated at 22; the members or links of the other series being designated by the reference numeral 24. As in conventional lazy tong structures, each link of one series is paired with a link of the other series and the two are pivotally connected together at their mid-points by pivot pins 26. The opposite ends of each crossing pair of links are pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of the next pair of crossing links by pivot pins 28.

A distinctive feature of the invention is the manner of securing the louver members it! to the lazy tong trusses 1 2-12 such that the louver members are carried therewith as the trusses are extended and retracted and have an independent swingable or tilting movement relative thereto. The opposite ends of the louvers are pivotally connected to the lazy tongs and for this purpose cross member I l of the window frame. The bars 3232 are similarly formed and may project horizontally from the window frame member 14 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or downwardly vertically from the members as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The uppermost link of the series represented ,by the reference numeral 22 is foreshortened and terminates at its pivotal connection to the uppermost link of the series with which it is paired.

The awning is extended to an inclined position with respect to the plane of the window frame by means of a U-shaped rod 3 8. The extremities of the legs of the rod 34 are pivotally connected to brackets 38 secured to the vertical side members id-lt of the window frame approximately half-way between their lengths. The closed end of the U-shaped rod 3-2 is pivotally connected to the outer extremities of the lazy tong trusses l2-l2. This is preferably accomplished as best shown in Fig. 16 by providing a short arm 38 at each outer corner of the rod 34. Each arm is rigidly connected to the rod and projects at an upwardly and outward inclination to the plane thereof. The outer end of each arm is provided with a hole 22 which is employed to pivotally connect the arm to the extremity of the adjacent lazy tong truss. The outermost pivot pins 26 of the two truss structures are extended through the holes of the arms 38-38 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and the connection between the bar 34 and the trusses is such that the'former may be swung about its pivotal connection with the bracket I 36 from the raised position shown in Fig. 2 to-.

the pivot pins 26 connecting the mid-points of each pair of crossing links are employed. As shown in Fig. 4, each pivot pin 26 is purposely made longer than the pivot pins 28 in order to extend through the vertical side of a right angularly shaped bracket 30. The horizontal side of each bracket is fixed to the underside of the adjacentrend portion of the louver with which it is associated. The securement may be accomplishedin any suitable manner such as by rivets or a weld joint. The opening in the vertical section of each bracket through which the pivot pin 26 extends is such that although the bracket and the adjacent end of the louver is supported thereon the bracket together with the louver are capable of swinging or rotating about the axis of the pivot pin. Preferably, as shown, the louvers are connected to their respective pivot pins, 26 midway between the innerand outer longitudinal margins of the louvers. Pivotally mounted in this manner the louvers are capable of swinging movement about their central longitudinal axes relative to the lazy tong trusses.

The upper ends of the lazy tong trusses 12-12 aresecured to the building over the opening for which the awning is intended. The manner of securement may be that shown in Figs. l to 4 where the uppermost link 24 of each truss is pivotally connected to the outer end of a stationary short bar 32 projecting from the upper an outward and downward inclination shown in Fig. 1. This movement will stretch the lazy tong structures and carry the louvers therewith from their collapsed position in Fig. 2 to an expanded spaced apart condition shown in Fig. l.

The swinging movement of the rod 34 may be controlled by a person standing inside of the window by means of a cable or cord 32 connected at one end to the closed end of the rod and extending over a pulley 44 at the upper end of the window frame and thence downwardly for winding attachment around a clete 46. The. amount of cord 32 let out will determine the extent of e the drop of the awning from the upper end of the window.

The independent swinging movement of the louvers relative to the lazy tong trusses may be used to. provide the maximum amount of air movement through the awning under any condition of sunshine. Moreover, the swinging adjustment of the louvers may be accomplished from a remote point such as the inside of the window opening over which the awning extends.

This is accomplished by means which is extensible and retractible together with the louvers and is capable of adjusting the louvers in unison in any extended position of the awning.

The control means provided in the illustrated embodiment of the invention for adjusting the angularity of the louvers comprises a third lazy tong mechanism. The third lazy tong truss is generally indicated at 50 and the individual links thereof extend in a plane perpendicular to the planes ofthe two parallel lazy tong trusses l2l 2 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The third lazy tong truss is formed similar to the trusses I2.|2 and is composed of two series of crossing links 52 and 5 5 as best illustrated in Fig. 4. Each pair of crossing linksis pivotally connected on a pivot pin 56. The extremities of each pair of crossing links are assigns pivotally connected to extremities of the adjacent pair by pivot pins 58.

The third lazy tong 55 is hingedly connected to a common longitudinal edge of each louver Ill. Although the third lazy tong may be hinged to the outer side edge of the louvers it-is preferred from the point of view of appearance to locate the lazy tong along the inside of the louver assembly as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The lazy tong 50 is separately hinged to the louvers 10 at the crossing pivots of the two series of links 52 and 54.

The manner of hinging the third lazy tong truss 50 to the louvers i is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and in more detail in Figs. 7, 8 and 10. Referring to these-figures, each crossing point of the links 52 and 54 is provided with a hinge 6!). One leaf 62-of each hinge overlies the crossing point of each pair of links 52 and 54 and may be secured thereto by the'pivot pin- 56. As shown in Fig. 8. each pivot pin 56 may be in the form of a bolt member including a head 64 which abuts the hinge leaf B2 and a nut 86 threaded on the opposite end of the bolt. The companion leaf of each hinge is indicated at 68 and as in conventional hinge structures the two leaves 62 and 68 are provided with overlapping sections or knuckles 10 and 12 respectively through which extends a hinge pintle 14.- The second leaf 68 of each hinge is fixed to the underside of the louver ID with which it is associated either by rivets, welding or other suitable means. As the result of thus hinging the louvers to the third lazy tong 58, the latter is collapsible and extensible together with the louvers and in any extended position of the louvers it forms a relatively rigid connection therebetween. Functioning as a rigid connection in this manner and being hinged to the louvers, it is evident that any lengthwise bodily shiftable movement of the lazy tong will cause the louvers to swing in unison about their respective pivot pins 26.

The shiftable movement of the third lazy tong truss 50 may be controlled from the window opening in order to permit the operator to stand on i the room side of the window and adjust the angularity of the louvers. This is accomplished by providing a vertical guided cylindrical rod is which may be mounted as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 adjacent to the front of one of the side members of the window frame. The upper end of this rod is connected to the upper portion of the louver assembly. Although the connection may be to theupper end of the third lazy tong mechanism 58 it is herein shown as joined to the inner side margin of the uppermost louver 10. As illustrated in Fig. 5, one section of an L-shaped bracket member 18 is secured to the inner side edge of the uppermost louver [0. The other section of the bracket member projects laterally inwardly of the louver and is pivotally connected by pin 80 to the upper end of the control rod 15. The rod 18 may be releasably held in adjusted position in any suitable manner. such as by a frictional clamping device 82 commonly used for holding transom control rods in adjusted position and shown as secured to one side member of the window frame. The clamping device includes two similarly formed spring metal sections 84-84 having aligned holes through which the rod 16 slides and which are bent away from one another to exert pressure on the rod to frictionally hold it in adjusted position. The application of manual force drawing the sections 84--84 toward one another will free the control rod for lengthwise movement. Such movement will raise and lower its point of connection to the bracket member. 18 and cause the uppermost louver to swing about its horizontal axis. This swinging movement will be transmitted to all of the louvers by the third lazy tong assembly 50. 4

The lazy tong mechanism 50 serves to maintain the louvers I!) in substantially parallel relation to one another as they are angularlyadjusted about their respective pivotal axes. In Fig. 1, the louvers are' shown as extending at a slightly upwardly inclination from the plane of the window opening. This position is desirable in those instances when the sun is approximately overhead or the sky is overcast. Fig. 5 shows the louvers swung to a downward inclination substantially closing the openings therebetween. This position'is desirable when the sun is directed at the window or it is raining. As shown in Fig.5 it is highly desirable to proportion the dimensions of the louvers so that in this downward inclination the front marginal portion of one louver overlaps upon the rear margin of the next lower louver.

In the position shown in Fig. 10, the crossing links 52 and 54 of the lazy tong 50 assume a relatively small angle to one another. To prevent the links from reducing this angle any further and rendering it difiicult to return to wider angles, it is desirable to provide a stop limiting the stretch of the lazy tong. Such a stop is shown at 86 in Figs. 7, 9 and 10 and is formed by providing a flange on the end of the lowermost link 52 of the lazy tong 58 which extends perpendicular to the plane of the link and into the path of movement of the companion link 54. Slightly short of the fully extended position of the lazy tong, this stop element will abut the companion link as shown'in Fig. 10 and limit further extension of the lazy tong and further pivotal move.- ment of the louvers in the downward direction.

Spring means is provided for assisting in the swinging movement of the louvers. This spring means as herein shown is arranged to exert a yielding force tending toswing the louvers to their open position and to retract the lazy tong 58. Such spring means may consist of a series of spring wire elements, one associated with each louver, and located at the crossing points of the links 52 and 54 of the lazy tong mechanism 50. One such wire spring element is shown in Figs. 8 and I0 consisting of two similarly formed end sections 88-88 and an intermediate portion 98 (Fig. 8) coiled one or more turns about the bolt member 66. One endsection of the spring wire is associatedwith the link 54 and its extremity is inwardly turned and enters a hole in the link as shown in Fig. 8. The other end section of the spring wire is associated with the link 52 and is similarly formed for connection thereto. Each spring wire member exerts a force tending to spread each pair of links 52 and 54 apart about the axis of the bolt member around which it is coiled, and together they act in the direction to collapse the lazy tong 50 and swing the louvers to a more open position. To accommodate the spring wire elements, the bolt members-5B are made long enough toreceive the coiled, portions between the links and the nut 58 threaded on the bolt.

The louver components of the awning may be composed of any suitable relatively stiff material, such as sheet metal of either steel or aluminum or composed of wood or plastic. Where the louvers are supported at their ends by lazy tong mechanism such as indicated at l2-l2 it is preferred to corrugate the louvers longitudinally to reinforce them as well as to drain part of the moisture collected thereon to the sides of the awning. The corrugations extend from one end to the other end of each louver and although the corrugations may be rounded it is preferred, as shown best in Figs. 5.and 6, to corrugate each louver to produce alternate ridges 32 and grooves 84 of substantially rectangular cross section.

The corrugations of each louver preferably terminates at the front and rear edges in a ridge 92 having a downwardly turned lip or flange. The. flange along the rear side of each louver is indicated at 96 and it is to such elements that the leaves 68 of the hinges 6B are secured. The flange along the front side of each louver is indicated at 98. As illustrated in Figs. and 6, and also in Figs. 1 and 3, the front flange 98 of each louver is intentionally made longer than the rear flange 96 to extend below the plane of the louver and particularly below the level of the grooves 54 thereof. Constructed in this manner, the front flange is capable of entering the rearmost groove 94 of the next lower louver as shown in Fig. 5 when the louvers are swung to their closed position. The conjoined relation of each adjacent pair of louvers in this manner prevents rain or other form of moisture in the air from being blown under the louvers in their closed position.

Figs. 12 to illustrate a modification of the invention wherein the lazy tong trusses for extending and retracting the awning may be positioned intermediate the opposite ends of the louver component as well as at the ends as shown in the previously described embodiment of the invention. This modification permits the crossing links of each truss assembly to extend through the louvers from one side to the other side thereof. A distinctive feature of the modification is the ability of the louvers to be collapsed to the nested position such as shown in Fig. 2 even though the links of the trusses extend therethrough.

Referring particularly to Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, the crossing links of each truss assembly are constructed so as to permit the links to lie flat against the opposite surfaces of the louver with which it is associated. This is accomplished by offsetting the opposite end sections of each link was to bring the upper edge of one end section in substantial alignment with the lower edge of the opposite end section. Referring to Fig. 12, one of the crossing links of a truss assembly is indicated generally at I95 and its companion link with which it is paired is generally indicated at H32. These two links are pivotally joined together by a pin I94 midway between their opposite ends and corresponding to pivot pins 26 previously described. One end section of the link I00 is indicated at I96 and the opposite end section thereof is indicated at I08. Similarly, for the companion link I02, one end section thereof is indicated at I l0 and the other end section thereof at I I2.

'It will be noted that the opposite end sections of each link are offset to one another on opposite sides of the axis of the pivot pin Hi l. The offset condition is accomplished by providing a jog in each link at its pivotal connection to the pin I04. As a result of this construction, the lower edge of one end section of each link extends in substantial alignment with the upper edge of the opposite end section of the link. For example, referring particularly to the link generally indicated at I02, the lower edge I I4 of the upper end section I I0 extends'in substantial alignment with the upper edge I It of the lower end section IIZ. The companion link I 86 is similarly formed.

Preferably it is preferred to have the edges II4 Associated with each pair of crossing links of the modification shown in Figs. 12 to 15 is a louver component of the awning assembly-indicated at H8. As in the previously described embodiment of the invention, each louver II8 may be pivotally connected to the pin IE4 on its longitudinal central axis so that equal sections of the louver project from the opposite sides of the axis of the pivot pins I94. Pivoted in this manner, the louver I I8 for each pair of crossing links is capable of swinging movement such as from the full line position shown in Fig; 12- to the dotted line position. In the full line -position in Fig. 12, the louver H8 abuts the upper edge of the end section 38 of link It!) and abuts the lower edge of the end section Hi6 of the link as is clearly apparent in Fig. 12. By offsetting these edges of the links I60 and I02 a dis tance at least equal to the thickness of the louver, it is possible as shown in Fig. 13 to fully collapse the links upon the louver member extending therebetween. In the fully collapsed position, the upper and lower edges of the fourend sections I96, I38, H0 and IE2 abut the upper and lower surfaces of the louver H3 extending therebetween. q

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15, each louver component is reiatively flat and comprises a broad, elongated slat-like body formed of relatively rigid sheet material. preferred to downwardly incline the front marginal edge I 20 of each. louver and upwardly incline the rear marginal edge I22 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Although the lazy tong truss assemblies may extend along the opposite ends of the louver panels I I8 as indicated at the left of Figs. 14 and 15, it is possible by virtue of the offset character of their respective end sections to extend the crossing links through an opening in the louvers intermediate their ends. This last construction is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 and the opening through which the crossing links extend is indicated at I2 3. The opening may be circular but is herein shown as rectangular.

In the formation of the opening I24, a part of the louver is struck out from its plane to form a tongue I26 which as shown in Fig. 15 is bent upwardly and then turned downwardly to form a vertical end section I28. This end section extends through the opening I24 with its plane extending transversely to the louver in spaced relation to the opposite side of the opening. The pivot pin I64 previously described is connected to the end section I28 of each louver assembly and joins the pair of crossing linksv It's and 402 thereof for swinging movement about the axis oi.- the pin. As a result, each louver and crossing links I66 and E62 have an independent swingable movement about the axis of the pivot pin I64 allowing the links to be extended and retracted and the louver to tilt in any extended position of the links.

If end trusses are provided, such as shown at the left of Fi 4 and at the opposite ends of the louver in Fig. 15, they may be similarly secured to the louver. As shown in Fig. 15, the louver is provided with a struck out tongue I30 having its end section I32 rebent downwardly and It is extendingin a vertical plane. The pivot pin I04 previously described in connection with the assembly shown in Figs. 12 and 13 extendsthrough the links I and I02 and through the end section I32 of the tongue. This mounting, like that previously described for the opening I24 of the louver, perm1ts thelinks and the louver to have an independent angular movement relative to one another.

' In the event each louver is pivotally connected to its respective pair of crossing links, its tilting movement may be controlled by an extensible and retractible means such as the third lazy tong truss 50 previously described. The latter may extends. along the front edges of the louvers in substantially vertical plane as shown in Fig. 2.

The two members are preferably hinged together so that in non-use they may be collapsed one against the other. "A hinge connection for this purpose is indicated at I38, at the juncture of the outer edgeof the member I34 and the upper edge of themember' I36. To protect the hinge, the upper-member I34 may be provided with a downwardly turned flange I40 as shown in Fig. 11. i

To further protect the operating parts of the awning and assist in holding the hood in place,

thereis provided an auxiliary protecting member indicated at I42 in Fig. 2. This member is in the form of a shelf fixed to the upper horizontal cross member of the window frame and extending completely thereacross. This member may be provided on its inner margin with a vertical section I44 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the cross member of the window frame. The outer marginal edge of the member I42 is provided with a downwardly inclined flange I45 which is adapted to interengage with an upturned flange I48 on the inner margin of the upper plate member I34 of the hood. The overlapping relationship of these two flanges I46 and I48 serves to hold the hood in place. If desired, an L-shaped bracket I56 may be provided for rigidly connecting the awning to the hood when it is fully collapsed therein. One part of the bracketis secured to the underside of the member I34 as shown in Fig; 11 and the other section of the bracket is secured by removable screws I52 to oneof the uppermost links of each lazy tong truss I2. What I claim is: 1

1. In a device of the character described, a lazy. tong structure having two series of parallel members, the members of one series crossing the members of the other series and being pivotally connected together at their crossing points, a

plurality of: louvers, and means pivotally connecting the louvers to the crossing points of the lazy tong members for swinging movement about the pivotal axes thereof..

2. In a device of the character described, a lazy tong structure having two series of parallel members, the members of one series crossing themembers of the other series and being pivotallyconnected together at their crossing points,

a plurality of louvers, means pivotally connecttong members for swingingmovement about the pivotal axes thereof, and control means for swinging the louvers in unison about their respective pivotal axes.

3. In a device of the character described, a lazy tong structure having two series of parallel members, the members of one series crossing the members of the other series and being pivotally connected together at their crossing points, a plurality of louvers, means pivotally connecting an intermediate portion of each louver to.a separate crossing point of, the lazy tong structure and providing swinging movement of the louver independent of the structure, and control means engaging a longitudinal side edge of each louver and operable to tilt the same about its 'ipivotal axis.

4.. An extensible and retractible awning comprising, in combination, a pair of opposed lazy tong structures each composed of a connected series of crossing links pivotally connected at their crossing points, a plurality of louver members extending between the lazy tong structures, means pivotally connecteding the opposite ends of the louvers to the lazy tong structures at'the crossing points of the linksthereof, and remote control means connected to said louver members for tilting the same in unison about their respective pivotal axes. j e 'I 5. An awning structure comprising a lazy tong truss, hinge pintles extending from the crossing joints of the truss, and awning sections pivotally mounted on said pintles. r

6. An awning structure comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced apart parallel extendin lazy tong trusses, hinge pintles extending laterally from the crossing joints of each truss, louver members extending between the two trusses and'pivotally mounted on said pintles, said louver members being bodily movable in accordance with the extensible and retractible movement of the trusses and swingableabout their respective pivotal axes in any extended position of the trusses, and control means engaging the louver members and operableto swing the latter in unison and to hold the same inany adjusted position to which they are swung.

'7. In an awning structure having a plurality of louver members, a lazy tong connected to said louver members and providing extension and retraction thereof and further providing for independent pivotal movement of the louver members relative thereto, and a second lazy tong con nected to the louver members and controlling the angular relation thereof relative to said first lazy tong.

8. In an awning structure, a plurality of louver members, a lazy tong, means connecting the louver members at spaced points to said lazy tong and providing joint retractible and extensible movement of the louver members together with the lazy tong and providing for independent swingable movement of the louver members relative to the .lazy tong, a second lazy tong, and means connecting said second lazy tong to the louver members and operable to swing the latter in any extended. position of the first lazy tang.

9. Anextensible and retractible awning structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of louver members, a lazy tong, means connecting the similar ends of said louver members to said lazy tong and providing joint retractible and extensible movement of the members therewith, @81 6. means further providing pivotal swinging movement of each louver about ahorizontal axis, a second lazy tong extending along an intermediate portion of the awning structure'between the opposite ends of the louver members, and means connecting said second lazy 'tong to the louver members and operable upon extensible and retractible movement thereof to swing the louver members about their respective horizontal axes.

10. In a device of the character described, a plurality of parallel extending louver members, 'a lazy tong extending along the side of each of the opposite ends of the louver members, means pivotally connecting the opposite ends of the'louver members to said lazy tong on axes extending longitudinally of the members between the opposite side margins thereof, and an extensible and vretractible control means connected to the inner edges of said louvers between their opposite ends and efieotive to swing the lover members in unison about their respective axes in any extended position of said lazy tongs.

11. An awning structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of parallel extending louver members, a lazy tong disposed in a vertical plane,

' means connecting said louver members to said lazy tong to provide joint extensible and retractible movement thereof and to further provide swinging movement of the louver members about horizontal axes, a second lazy tong disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said first lazy tong, means connecting said second lazy tong to said louver members, said second lazy tong being extensible and retractible together With the first lazy tong and being operable upon bodily'shiftable movement in any extended position to swing the louver members about their respective horizontal axes.

12. An awning comprising, in combination, a plurality of parallel extending louver members of similar shape, a pair of similarly formed lazy tongs extending along the opposite ends of the louver members and each composed of crossing links disposed in a vertical plane, means connecting the ends of the louver members to the lazy tongs, said means providing joint retractible and extensible movement of the louver members with the lazy tongs and further providing pivotal movemtnt of the members about separate horizontal axes, and means for controlling the pivotal movement of the louver members comprising a third lazy tong having the crossing links thereof disposed in a plane perpendicular to the planes of said pair of lazy tongs, and means .pivotally connecting the inner longitudinal marginal edges of the louver members to said third lazy tong.

13. A collapsible and extensible awning comprising, in combination, a pair of lazy tongs extending in parallel spaced apart relationship and having their respective crossing links extending in vertical planes, a plurality of parallel extending louver members positioned between said lazy tongs, means pivotally connecting the opposite ends of said louver members to said lazy tongs and, providing joint retractible and extensible movement therewith, a third lazy ton disposed between said first mentioned pair of lazy tongs and havingthe crossing links thereof extending in a plane perpendicular to the links of said pair of lazy tongs, means pivotally connecting one side margin of each of said louver members to said third lazy tong, said third lazy tong being extensible and retractible together with said pair of lazy-tongs and being operable upon longitudinal bodily shiftable movement in any extended V position-to-swing the louver members about their respective pivotal connections, and means for bodily shifting said third lazy tong and for holding the same and the louvers in any adjusted position.

14. An awning structure comprising, in combination, a pair of similar lazy tong trusses extending in parallel spaced apart relationship, hinge pintles extending from the crossing points of each lazy tong truss and in alignment with the hinge pintles of the other lazy tong truss, a plurality of awning sections each associated with an aligned set of hingle pintles and pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement independently of'the trusses, and means extensible and retractible with the lazy tong trusses and operatively connected to the awning sections ,for swinging the same in unison about their respective pivotal mountings.

15. In an awning structure having a plurality of louvers pivoted upon a frame, an operating mechanism for swinging the louvers comprising a-lazy tong truss having a connected series of crossing links pivotally connected together at their crossing points and extending in a plane substantially parallel to the pivotal axes of the louvers, and means hingedly connecting the crossing points of the links of the lazy tong truss to the louvers.

16. In a lazy tong truss mechanism for an ex-- tensible and retractible awning structure having a series of crossing links pivotally connected together at their crossing points, each link of the truss being jogged at its crossing point to dispose a side edge of one end section of the link in substantial alignment with the opposite side edge of the other end section of the link, hinge pintle's carried by the truss mechanism and aligning with the crossing points of the links, and awning sections pivotally mounted on the hinge pintles.

1'7. In an awning structure, a plurality of elongated louver members similarly apertured between their respective opposite ends, a. lazy tong truss having a connected series of crossing links pivotally connected together at their crossing points, the crossing links extending through the apertures of the several louver members from one side of the associated louver members to the other side thereof, the crossing points of the lazy tong truss being located in the apertures, and means connecting the lazy tong truss to thelouver members to provide extensible and retractible movement therewith. 1

18. In an awning structure, a plurality of panel-like louver members disposed in parallel relation to one another and each having a similarly located opening between the side and end margins thereof, a lazy tong truss for extending and retractin the louver members and composed of a connected series of crossing links pivotally connected together at their crossing points and extending in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the louver members, said lazy tong truss having its crossing points disposed substantially in the openings of the louver members and extending through the openings from one side to the other side of the louver members, each link of the lazy tong truss being ofiset substantially in its own plane at its crossing point to dispose a side edge of one end section of the link in substantial alignment with the opposite side edge of the other end section of the link, and means severally pivotally connecting the louver members to the crossing points of the links for swinging movement independent of the lazy tong truss.

19. An awning structure comprising a lazy tong truss, hinge pintles extending from the crossing joints of the truss, awning sections pivotally mounted on the hinge pintles, and control means engaging said awning sections and operable to swing the same in unison about their respective hinge pintles.

20. An awning structure comprising a lazy tong truss, hinge pintles extending from the crossing joints of the truss, awning sections pivotally mounted on the hinge pintles, an extensible and contractible member connected to said awnin sections and operable to swing the same in unisonabout their respective hinge pintles, and means for holding said member and the awning sections in adjusted position.

21. In an awning structure having a lazy tong truss composed of pairs of crossing links, each pair of which are pivotally connected to one another at their crossing point and pivotally con-- nected to the adjacent pair of links at their respective extremities, one link of each pair of links being offset substantially in its own plane at its crossing point to dispose one side edge of one end section of the link in substantial alignment with the opposite side edge of the other end section of the link, and an elongated relatively flat louver member associated with each pair of crossing links and secured on substantially its longitudinal median line to the crossing point thereof whereby one longitudinal side marginal portion of the louver member overlies one of said side edges of said offset link and the opposite longitudinal side marginal portion of the lover member underlies the opposite side edge of the same offset link.

22. In an awning structure having a lazy tong truss composed of pairs of crossing links, each pair of which are pivotally connected to one another at their crossing point and pivotally connected to the adjacent pair of links at their respective extremities, one link of each pair of links being offset substantially in its own plane at its crossing point to dispose one side edge of one end section of the link in substantial alignment with the opposite side edge of the other end section of the link, an elongated relatively fiat louver member associated with each pair of crossing links, means pivotally connecting each louver member on substantially its longitudinal median line to the crossing point of the pair of links with which it is associated whereby in any extending position of the lazy tong truss the louver member may swing to and from said substantially aligned side edges of the ofiset link.

23. In an awning structure having a lazy tong truss composed of pairs of crossing links, each pair of which are pivotally connected together at their crossing point and pivotally connected to the adjacent pair at their extremities, an elongated relatively thin, flat louver member associated with each pair of crossing links and connected intermediate its ends and on substantially its longitudinal median line to the crossing point of its associatedpair of links, eachlink 7 being offset substantially in its own plane at its crossing point to the extent that when the lazy tong truss is collapsed the adjacent side edges of each pair of links are spaced apart from one another substantially the thickness of the louver member associated therewith to accomodate the same therebetween.

24. In an awning structure, a plurality of similarly shaped awning panels composed of relatively thin, fiat material, said panels each having an aperture therethrough aligning with the apertures 01 the remaining panels, a lazy tong truss comprising a connected series of pairs of crossing links, each pair of crossing links of which being pivotally connected together at their crossing point and being pivotally connected to the adjacent pairs of crossing links at their extremities, said lazy tong truss extending through the apertures of the awning panels and having the crossingpoint of each pair of the links thereof located substantially in the aperture of each panel, and'means connecting the awning panels to the lazy tong truss for joint extensible and retractible movement therewith.

2-5. In an awning structure, a plurality of similarly shaped awning panels composed of relatively thin, fiat material, said panels each having an aperture therethrough aligning with the apertures of the remaining panels, a lazy tong truss comprising a connected series of pairs of crossing links, each pair of crossing links of Whichbeing pivotally connected together at their crossing point and being pivotally connected to the adjacent pairs of crossing links at their extremities, said lazy tong truss extending through the apertures of the awning panels and having the crossing point of each pair of the links thereof located substantially in the aperture of each panel, means connecting the awning panels to the lazy tong truss for joint extensible and retractible movement therewith, at least one link of each pair of links of the lazy tong truss being offset substantially in its own plane at its crossing point to the extent that when the truss is substantially collapsed the adjacent side edges of each pair of links are spaced apart from one another substantially the thickness of the awning panels.

OSCAR. S. ZACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES EATENTS Number Name Date 702,146 McCloud June 10, 1902 1,022,415 Hannam Apr. 9, 1912 1,917,811 Richardson July 11, 1933 2,103,788 Mohrfeld Dec. 28, 1937 2,247,616 McNelly July 1, 1941 2,321,507 Oberdorfer June 18, 1943 

